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Sunday, July 12, 2015

Patchwork Scrappy Quilt

This is the longest running quilt project of mine to date. I cut out hundreds of 2 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch squares, ironed them and kept them in a Ziplock gallon bag and started sewing the squares together in long chains of 34 squares. I sewed these by hand while waiting for doctor's appointments, watching TV or on long car rides. Soon I had 34 rows of strips 34 squares long. I ironed those and then began connecting the strips. By hand. In waiting rooms, while traveling, whenever the urge struck.

Then came the actual quilting. The backing is a mish mash of huge leftover pieces of fabric I have acquired over the years.

I chose the most obvious way to quilt it and that was along each row and column. Just like a grid, which you can see from the photo above. I felt like that took me the longest to do. After five years I finally was able to complete this quilt. I made a ton of different labels several years ago using quotes from Jimmy Buffet songs, fairy tales and Twilight (no judging!). These were printed on fabric and then I add the date, if it was machine or hand pieced and if it was machine or hand sewn. Sometimes I flip flop on how I make a quilt. And of course no "art" is complete without a signature.

It will live on the back of our couch for chilly air conditioned mornings and snuggly evenings. It will attend our beach outtings and provide a barrier from the sand. It will travel on long trips to cover the girls in the backseat while they sleep the miles away. Hopefully it will absorb much love and many fond memories.

Thank you!! Sometimes I grabbed randomly and sometimes I would see the chains in a color scheme like in blues and greens or pinks. But mostly whatever came out if the bag. Lol! I can't wait to see your Turkish quilt!!

Oh Julie, this is gorgeous! It reminds me of a blanket that my great-aunt made for me, I used it until I grew too tall for it but I refused to part with it until my mother made me. I hope this quilt will stay forever in your family and be the centre of many many wonderful memories!

Awwww Michelle! I love that you had your own quilt seen with love! My girls' baby quilts are in the attic now. Savanna has a twin sized one for her bed but Scarlette's is still in production. I hope your week is going well! Are you transitioned back into work now from the getaway?